NEWSROUND Lords sees revenue up for 2025


Lords Group Trading, a distributor of building materials, has announced its audited final results for the year ended 31 December 2025 (‘FY25’ or the ‘year’). The group recorded revenue of £472.8 million, up 8.3%, with positive Like-For-Like (LFL) growth of 0.7% despite subdued end markets.


Group merchanting LFL revenue grew +3.1%, Plumbing and Heating (‘P&H’) margins improved by 60bps, and renewables revenue was up 57%.


Chief executive officer of Lords, Shanker Patel, commented:


“Despite a challenging backdrop, Lords made further progress in positioning the Group for growth. We grew revenue, reduced net debt by 59%, opened three new merchanting branches and completed the acquisition of CMO, which broadened our customer reach and significantly strengthened our digital capability. “Whilst market conditions are likely to remain subdued in the near term, with ongoing uncertainty around inflation and interest rates, we have built a more diversified, more scalable business and the Group is now


better positioned operationally and strategically than at any point in its recent history. Supported by our new banking facilities, we have the financial flexibility to continue investing selectively as opportunities arise.


“As the market recovers, we expect a disproportionate improvement in profitability driven by operating leverage across both our branch network and digital platform. We are confident that the strategic progress made in FY25 will translate into enhanced returns and sustainable shareholder value creation over the medium term.”


Howdens opens Athlone and Wexford depots


Trade kitchen supplier Howdens has opened the doors to new depots in Wexford and Athlone in the Republic of Ireland.


These latest openings bring its depot network to 18 in the region, with the company intending to open three more depots in ROI by the end of the year.


Both Athlone and Wexford depots accommodate the company’s free home measure and design service, template and fit solid surface worktops and classic timber kitchens with 24 Paint to


Order colours. Howdens is also the exclusive supplier of brands such as Lamona appliances, Oake & Gray flooring and their latest own brand launch, Fuller & Forge ironmongery. Howdens regional director for the Republic of Ireland, Brian Buchan, said: “Our depot network in the ROI


is expanding as we meet demand in the region, and its fantastic to launch two new depots in Athlone and Wexford, and to plan three further new sites later in the year.” Howdens products are only available through the trade, as its trade know-how ensures every job is completed to the highest standard. Homeowners can get started by booking a free design appointment online, or feel free to pop into the depot, where staff can help find a tradesperson if needed.


There was a further steep decline in UK construction output in May, according to the S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which fell at the fastest pace for six years.


Six year low for UK construction output the latest fall was the fastest since


March 2009.


At the same time, higher energy, fuel and transportation costs led to the fastest pace of price rises since June 2022. At 38.2 in May, down from 39.7 in April, the headline was below the neutral 50.0 threshold for the 17th month running. More worryingly, the rate of contraction was the steepest since May 2020. Aside from the drop in construction output at the start of the pandemic,


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All three broad categories of construction work posted sharp declines in output levels during May. Residential activity, at 36.0, performed the worst, with commercial construction, at 39.0 reflecting risk aversion among clients in response to inflationary trends and geopolitical uncertainty. Civil engineering work – 36.2 – saw fell was marginally better than April. Despite the weaker demand for construction products and materials, the latest survey indicated that suppliers' delivery times lengthened


CTD unveils new Birmingham branch


CTD, the ceramic tile


distributor, has opened its new flagship Birmingham branch in Minworth, Sutton Coldfield. The new branch acts as a blueprint for the companies new store layout, placing trade essentials at the front of the store so they can be accessed faster Customers can also browse a curated tile collection in- store, with CTD’s wider product portfolio available online for delivery direct to site or collection in branch.


Director of CTD, Sam Bucknall, said, “Opening our new Birmingham flagship branch is an important moment for CTD and a clear statement about where the business is heading.


“This new format reflects the changing needs of the market and gives customers faster access to the products they use every day, while still offering the product choice and service CTD has long been known for.”


for the third month running in May. Almost two-thirds of the survey panel signalled a rise in input prices during May, while only 1% experienced a decline.


Business activity expectations for the next 12 months remained positive in May, but the degree of optimism eased to the second- lowest since December 2022. Around 31% of the survey panel predict a rise in output levels during the year ahead, while 25% forecast a reduction


Tim Moore, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: “House building remained


especially subdued, and there were fresh challenges in the construction sector from a considerable softening of commercial activity since April. Anecdotal evidence suggests that economic uncertainty and rising inflation in the wake of the Middle East conflict triggered the steepest drop in new work since the beginning of the pandemic. "Concerns about a prolonged decline in construction order books, alongside unfavourable near-term UK economic prospects, weighed on business optimism in May. This index has fallen sharply since the start of 2026, and confidence levels are now almost as low as those seen ahead of last autumn's Budget."


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net June 2026


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